Drug Use by NSW Children of School Age, 1980 Survey

This survey, the latest in a ten year series of data collection on the drug use of children of school age in New South Wales, was conducted to provide comparable longitudinal data on a number of aspects of adolescent drug use. The aim of the survey series was to present objective evidence on patterns of secondary school children's drug use and to provide an analysis of trends in drug taking since 1971. Information was collected on the use of eight drugs: alcohol, tobacco, analgesics, sedative/hypnotics, cannabis, hallucinogens, narcotics and stimulants. Respondents were questioned on their use, age at first use, source and setting of use, frequency of use in past four weeks and past week and the usual quantity consumed. Background variables included age, sex, year level, living arrangements, parents occupations, leisure activities, income and source of income.